Module Descriptors

Module Aim: To critically apply knowledge and skills within the practice context to provide safe, respectful, holistic, person-centred care.

Module Content: This module has a focus on essential midwifery, students will be able to critically demonstrate knowledge and understanding of essential midwifery. This will be achieved by introducing the theoretical knowledge and fundamental skills initially in a simulated environment, followed by consolidation in clinical placement. The module will include the following theory and essential skills:

• Normal physiological childbirth (including anatomy and physiology) • Preconception, antenatal, intrapartum, postnatal and neonatal care (including epigenetics) • Models of maternity care • Impact of race and culturally competent care • Manual handing • Communication • Infection control (SIPCEP package) • First aid • Basic life support • Vital signs • Antenatal examination of the woman • Postnatal examination of the woman • Examination of the newborn • Urinalysis and fluid balance • Vaginal examination • Speculum examination • Perineal suturing and perineal care • Administration of medicines • Venepuncture • Breastfeeding • Bed making • Personal hygiene • History taking and risk assessment • Introduction to obstetric emergencies


• Simulation in the UWS Skills Laboratories using scenario-based learning. The SMOTs system will also be used in conjunction with simulation as a teaching and learning tool. This module also includes 3 practice placements (18 weeks) for the assessed practice to proficiencies at dependent level. Completion of the Midwifery Practice Assessment Document (MPAD) forms an essential element of the clinical practice placements. Proficiencies are defined in relation to application of academic knowledge clinical practice and achievement is attained in performing clinical skills and the development and demonstration of professional behaviours (NMC Standards of proficiency for midwives, 2019).


• The student’s practice learning experience is guided, supported and monitored by: • Practice Supervisors, a Practice Assessor and an Academic Assessor - Standards for student supervision and assessment (NMC, 2018). • Standards for pre-registration midwifery programmes (NMC, 2019). • UWS work-based and placement learning (UWS Regulatory Framework, section 1.68-1.79, 2020/21). • School Health and Life Science Practice Learning Statement, 2018. • School Health and Life Sciences Learning Protocol, 2018. Full details of NMC Standards and UWS Regulations that govern work-based learning are available in the module handbook. The holistic promotion, support and maintenance of breastfeeding will be reviewed and assessed in relation to an overall, comprehensive and detailed knowledge and understanding of UNICEF UK Baby Friendly Initiative University Standards (UNICEF, 2019) – Theme 1: Understand breastfeeding; Theme 2: Support infant feeding; Theme 3: Support close and loving relationships; Theme 4: Manage the challenges; Theme 5: Promote positive communication. This module will support students to develop characteristics which can contribute to the UWS graduate attributes, which are Universal (critical thinker, analytical, inquiring, culturally aware, emotionally intelligent, ethically minded, collaborative, research-minded and socially responsible); Work ready (knowledgeable, digitally literate, problem solver, effective communicator, influential, motivated, potential leader, enterprising and ambitious) and Successful (autonomous, incisive, innovative, creative, imaginative, resilient, driven, daring and transformational (I am UWS, 2018). Module content maps to the Educational Framework for Pre-registration Midwifery adapted from the Framework for Quality Maternal and Newborn Care, Renfrew et al., 2014) to levels: • Educational Content - Professional and Personal Development; Health and Wellbeing; Midwifery Knowledge and Practice and Complex Care. • Teaching and Learning Strategies. • Student Values. • Programme Philosophy. • Students.


• NMC (2019) Proficiencies: 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1.8, 1.9, 1.10, 1.11, 1.12, 1.13, 1.14, 1.15, 1.16, 1.19, 1.20, 1.21, 1.22, 1.23, 1.24, 1.25, 1.27, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 2.7, 2.10, 2.11, 3.3, 3.4, 3.6, 3.7, 3.8, 3.9, 3.10, 3.12.1, 3.12.2, 3.12.3, 3.12.4, 3.13.1, 3.13.2, 3.13.3, 3.14, 3.15, 3.17.2, 3.17.3, 3.18, 3.19, 3.20, 3.21, 3.22, 3.23, 3.24, 3.25, 3.26, 3.27, 4.5, 4.9, 5.6, 5.7, 5.8, 5.9, 5.10, 5.12, 5.13.1, 5.13.2, 5.13.3, 5.13.4, 5.13.5, 5.13.6, Domain 6.

On successful completion of this module the student will be able to:

L1. Demonstrate critical application of knowledge and skills when caring for women during the antenatal, intrapartum, postnatal periods, including care of the neonate.

L2. Appraise safe and effective practice in accordance with professional standards and regulations.

L3. Evaluate infant feeding practices in accordance with UNICEF Baby Friendly Initiative.

Exercising an awareness of the essential components of midwifery care such as safe, respectful, holistic, person-centred care.
Critically understand the physiological changes and management during preconception, antenatal, intrapartum, postnatal periods and in the healthy neonate.

Demonstrating detailed knowledge and understanding of how to monitor and record maternal wellbeing from the theoretical principles related to the midwifery skills.

Critically applying and reviewing the theory and evidence-based research relating to normal midwifery care.

Applying critical knowledge, skills and understanding whilst adopting a range of strategies, including utilising cognitive and psychomotor skills, and applying knowledge of essential midwifery practices to provide optimal care to women, newborn infants and their families.
Practising with a critical understanding of UNICEF Breastfeeding Initiative Learning Outcomes to enable mothers to develop a close and loving relationship with their babies and successfully establish and maintain breastfeeding.
Critically applying and integrating learned theory with clinical practice in relation to performance of specified clinical skills in the practice placement setting.

Critically reviewing and evaluating the skills required for assessing, planning and delivering care delivered to women and their babies.
Demonstrating a detailed understanding of the rationale for normal midwifery care from both the physiological and management perspective.

Developing and demonstrating the skills of reflection on practice. Utilising TURAS platform for recording theoretical and practical reflections.

Critically evaluating a wide range of skills in communication methods such as oral presentation, writing academic essays, record keeping, searching and evaluating literature from a range of sources.

Critically applying an understanding of the verbal and non-verbal skills required for effective communication in midwifery practice. Awareness of potential barriers to effective communications and strategies to overcome them.
Demonstrating effective communication skills for history taking and risk assessment.
Demonstrating an understanding of an adult learning approach to integration of theory and practice.
Interpreting, using and evaluating a wide range of numerical skills and graphical data related to practice.
Developing skills in medicine administration.

Exercising autonomy whilst working collaboratively with peers and colleagues to deliver evidence-based care during preconception, antenatal, intrapartum, postnatal periods and in the healthy neonate.
Demonstrating self-confidence, self-awareness, reflection, personal development planning and an ability to identify personal and professional boundaries to enhance employability.
Practicing with a critical understanding in partnership with practice supervisors and practice assessors to acquire an understanding of current professional practice.

Complying to NMC and Royal Pharmaceutical Society guidelines carry out professional skills such as effective record keeping and safely administering medicines.

The following materials form essential underpinning for the module content and ultimately for the learning outcomes:

In line with the Academic Engagement Procedure, Students are defined as academically engaged if they are regularly engaged with timetabled teaching sessions, course-related learning resources including those in the Library and on the relevant learning platform, and complete assessments and submit these on time. Please refer to the Academic Engagement Procedure at the following link: Academic engagement procedure

Where a module has Professional, Statutory or Regulatory Body requirements these will be listed here:
In line with the Academic Engagement and Attendance Procedure, for the purposes of this module, academic engagement equates to the following:
Students are academically engaged if they regularly participate in timetabled on-campus and online teaching sessions, asynchronous online learning activities, course-related learning resources and complete assessments which are submitted on time (UWS Academic Engagement Procedure; UWS Regulatory Framework, section 1.64 Academic Engagement and Attendance).

It is expected that students will attend all scheduled classes or participate with all delivered elements as part of their engagement with their programme of study.


Within this module, students are expected to attend for at least 75% of the synchronous core teaching activities to be assessed. Please refer to UWS Regulatory Framework Attendance Requirements.

Within this module 100% attendance is required for practice placements, although students who attend for at least 80% of the practice placement experience can be assessed. However, all absence in practice is required to be made up prior to exiting the programme to achieve 100% attendance to meet 2,300 hours required for registration as a midwife by NMC (NMC Standards for pre-registration midwifery, 2019; UWS Regulatory Framework, section 1.65 - specific attendance requirements).

1.03

1. More than one assessment method can be used to assess individual learning outcomes.
2. Schools are responsible for determining student contact hours. Please refer to University Policy on contact hours (extract contained within section 10 of the Module Descriptor guidance note).
   This will normally be variable across Schools, dependent on Programmes &/or Professional requirements.